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How to Type the Not Equal To Symbol (≠) on Keyboard

The not equal to symbol ≠ means “is not equal to.” You’ll see it in math, schoolwork, equations, and documents.

Important (especially for spreadsheets): in Excel and Google Sheets formulas, “not equal to” is written as <> (not ≠). The ≠ symbol is mainly for display (text in cells, worksheets, reports).

1-Minute Answer (fastest ways)

  • Windows (fast + works everywhere): Use Character Map to copy ≠, then paste.
  • Windows (Office Word only): Hold Alt and type 8800 on the numeric keypad → ≠
    (Works in Word only. Not reliable in every Windows app.)
  • Mac (fastest): Press Option + = → ≠
  • Word (fastest on Windows): Type 2260 then press Alt + X → ≠
  • Google Docs: Insert → Special characters → search not equal → click ≠
  • iPhone / Android: If you can’t find it quickly, copy/paste ≠ (fastest)
  • Excel: In formulas use <> (example: =A1<>B1). Use ≠ only for display.

Quick Reference

ItemValue
Symbol≠
NameNot equal to
UnicodeU+2260
Windows (Office apps)Alt + 8800 (numeric keypad required; not reliable in every app)
Mac shortcutOption + =
Word shortcut (Windows)2260 then Alt + X
HTML&ne; and &#8800;
Excel / Sheets operator<> (not equal)
not equal symbol shortcuts

How to Type ≠ on Windows

Method 1 (most reliable): Character Map (copy/paste)

This works in any app because you’re copying the symbol like normal text.

  1. Click Start
  2. Type Character Map and open it
  3. (Optional) Tick Advanced view
  4. Search not equal (or browse Mathematical Operators)
  5. Click ≠ → Select → Copy
  6. Paste with Ctrl + V
copy Not equal symbol

Method 2 (works in many Microsoft Office apps): Alt + 8800

This often works in Word, Excel, PowerPoint, but it may not work in every Windows app.

  1. Click where you want ≠
  2. Turn Num Lock ON
  3. Hold Alt
  4. Type 8800 on the numeric keypad
  5. Release Alt → ≠

Important notes

  • This needs a real numeric keypad (or a laptop’s built-in numpad mode).
  • The top number row usually does not work for Alt codes.

How to Type ≠ on Mac

Method 1: Keyboard shortcut (fastest)

  • Press Option + = → ≠

Method 2: Character Viewer (great if you forget shortcuts)

  1. Press Control + Command + Space
  2. Search not equal
  3. Double-click ≠ to insert it

How to Insert ≠ in Microsoft Word (Windows + Mac)

Method 1: Insert Symbol (menu)

  1. Go to Insert → Symbol → More Symbols
  2. Set Subset to Mathematical Operators
  3. Click ≠ → Insert → Close
insert Not equal symbol in word or excel

Method 2: Unicode shortcut (Word on Windows)

  1. Type 2260
  2. Press Alt + X
    Word converts it to ≠.

Method 3 (optional, equations only): \neq

If you’re typing inside a Word equation:

  1. Go to Insert → Equation
  2. Type \neq then press Space → ≠

How to Use ≠ in Excel (and Google Sheets)

1) In formulas, “not equal” is <> (not ≠)

Use <> to compare values:

  • Example: =A1<>B1
    This returns TRUE if A1 is not equal to B1, and FALSE if they are the same.

2) Use ≠ for display (showing the symbol in a cell)

If you want the ≠ symbol to appear as text (for reports, worksheets, etc.), use one of these:

Option A: Copy/paste

  • Copy ≠ from this page and paste into the cell.

Option B: UNICHAR (Excel + Google Sheets)

  • =UNICHAR(8800)
    This returns ≠.

Option C: Build a display line

  • =A1&" ≠ "&B1
    Example output: 10 ≠ 12

How to Insert ≠ in PowerPoint

  1. Click inside a text box
  2. Go to Insert → Symbol (or Insert → Symbol → More Symbols)
  3. Find ≠ under Mathematical Operators
  4. Click Insert

Tip (Windows): Alt + 8800 may work in PowerPoint too (numeric keypad required).

How to Insert ≠ in Google Docs

  1. Go to Insert → Special characters
  2. Search: not equal or not equal to
  3. Click ≠ to insert it

How to Type ≠ on iPhone and Android

Phone keyboards vary a lot, so the most reliable method is:

  • Copy/paste: ≠

If you want to try finding it on your keyboard:

  • Open the symbols page (usually ?123 or #+=)
  • Look for a math symbols page (sometimes a second symbols page)
  • If you don’t see it quickly, go back to copy/paste (fastest)

How to Type ≠ on Chromebook

Chromebooks don’t use Windows Alt codes.

Best options:

  1. Copy/paste: copy ≠ from this page
  2. In Google Docs: Insert → Special characters → search not equal

Troubleshooting

Alt code not working (Windows)

Common reasons:

  • No numeric keypad
  • Num Lock is off
  • You used the top number row instead of the numpad
  • You’re in an app that doesn’t support that Alt code

Fix:

  • Use Character Map (always works), or use Word’s 2260 + Alt + X in Word.

Can’t find ≠ on your phone keyboard

That’s normal on many keyboards.
Fix: copy/paste ≠.

≠ doesn’t work in Excel formulas

That’s expected. Use <> in formulas:

  • =A1<>B1

The symbol shows as a box □

The font you’re using may not support the symbol.
Fix: switch to a common font like Calibri, Arial, Times New Roman, or another modern font.

FAQ

What is the Alt code for ≠?

In many Microsoft Office apps on Windows, Alt + 8800 (numeric keypad required) inserts ≠.
If it doesn’t work in your app, use Character Map instead.

How do I type ≠ on Mac?

Press Option + =.
Or use Control + Command + Space, then search not equal.

How do I insert ≠ in Word?

Use Insert → Symbol, or type 2260 then press Alt + X (Word on Windows).

How do I do “not equal” in Excel?

In formulas, use <>. Example: =A1<>B1
Use ≠ only for display.

What is the Unicode/HTML for ≠?

  • Unicode: U+2260
  • HTML: &ne; or &#8800;

Quick recap

  • Windows (reliable): Character Map → copy/paste ≠
  • Windows (Office apps): Alt + 8800 (numeric keypad)
  • Mac: Option + =
  • Word (Windows): 2260 then Alt + X
  • Google Docs: Insert → Special characters → “not equal”
  • Excel/Sheets formulas: use <>
  • Anywhere: copy/paste ≠